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Hard times followed the American Revolutionary War. A lack of hard currency and government debt resulted in higher taxes and new policies set by the government. During this time it was also more difficult to obtain imported goods such as tea, coffee, and material for clothing. Many citizens fell into debt.
Shays' Rebellion took place between 1786 and 1787 in central and western Massachusetts. It was named after Daniel Shays, a leader of the rebellion. His four thousand followers were called "Shaysites" or Regulators. The rebellion began on August 21, 1786. The rebels saw the new rules and taxes as unjust. The protesters began the rebellion by shutting down the courts to stop any judicial proceedings regarding taxes and debtors. The rebellion was a military action involving local militia representing the government against the dissatisfied rebels. Because the militia was comprised of local men, many on the opposing sides knew each other. Since many of the men who participated in the rebellion had been soldiers in the Revolutionary War, many wore their war uniforms and conducted the rebellion much as a military operation. Shaysites identified themselves by wearing a sprig of hemlock in their hats. The rebellion was successful in their first objective to shut down the courts in Springfield and Northampton, but in the end the rebellion was crushed.
Sources:
- http://shaysrebellion.stcc.edu/shaysapp/people/home.do
- http://earlyamericanancestors.com/locations/shaysrebellion.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shays'_Rebellion
- http://www.history.com/topics/shays-rebellion
Partial list of known participants:
Leaders:
Daniel Shays
Job Shattuck
Luke Day 1743-1801
Shaysites
Thomas Gould of Pittsfield
Andrew Young of Williamstown
Barachiah Johnson of Williamstown
Moses Young of Williamstown
Stirling Daniels of Williamstown
Isbon Gregory of New Ashford
Abel Kent of New Ashford
David Baxter of New Ashford
William Rice of New Ashford
Elijah Jones of Pittsfield
Joseph Chamberlain of Dalton
Jonathan Bassett of Dalton
Samuel Wiley of Dalton
Amos Spafford of Dalton
Moses Ward of Pittsfield
Oliver Powers of Pittsfield
William Francis of Pittsfield
Rufus Allen of Pittsfield
Francis Burdick of Pittsfield
Joseph Fairfield of Pittsfield
Daniel Hubbard of Pittsfield
Jared Ingersol of Pittsfield
Nathan Leonard of Worthington
Elijah Morse of Worthington
Obidiah Palmer of Worthington
Hezikiah Partridge of Worthington
Asa Howard of Cumington
Josiah Tory of Plainsfield?
Moses Harvey 1723-1795
Henry McCulloch 1751-1819
Jason Parmenter 1734-
Caleb Phillips 1755-1829
Moses Sash 1755- African American veteran of the Continental Army
Agrippa Wells 1738-1809
Defenders against the rebellion:
Gen. George Washington 1732-1799
James Bowdoin, governor of Massachusetts, organized a military force to confront the rebels
William Eustis, surgeon
John Chaloner 1758-1793, defended the arsenal at Springfield
Justin Hitchcock 1752-1822, defended the courthouse at Springfield
David Hoyt, Jr. 1757-1803m defended the arsenal at Springfield
Jonathan Judd of Southampton
Hugh McClellan 1743-1816
William Shepard 1737-1817
Joseph Stebbins 1749-1816
William Stevens 1750-1801, artillery officer, member of the Boston Tea Party
Benjamin Lincoln 1733-1810